Filing device



C. B. ULRICH.

FILING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 16. 191B.

' Patented Mar. 9, \19l20.

2 SHEETSSHEETI c. B. ULRICH.

FlL-lNG DEVICE. APPLICATION HLED DEC-16.19M-

1,333,231. I I Patented Mai. 9,1920.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

J0 Q g i if? "J I BE? fivefiZFr- C/zarlesfiUlrzch MGM UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLE B. ULRI H, or JAMEs'rowiv, NEWYQRK.

FILING DEVICE.

Specification of Lettersil'atent. :Patented lIztr, 9, 1920.

Application filed December 16, 1918.- Serial No. 266,874;

e To all whom'z't may concern 7 1 6 it known that I, CHARLES B. ULRICH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Jamestown, in the county of Chautauqua and State of New York, have invented acer tain new and useful Improvementin Filing Devices, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to animproved means for filing data sheets where it is desired to keep different sets of said sheetsby themselves althou h all ofthe sheets are in the same file and secured therein in such a manner that any sheet of any set is readily available for inspection and that the sheets of any set may be opened from one another in flat re ation without disturbing the sheets of the other sets in their relation to each other. *My invention is particularly applicable forcases wherev it is desired to make a permanent file of data sheets belonging to a certain class of subject matter in a single file'and at'the same time it is [desirable to maintain subdivisions or subclasses in said file so'that reference may be made readlly to any desired subclass without confusion resulting from the presence of Ehe sheets of the other subclasses inthe same le. i My invention viding a flexible filing device in the form of a strip of flexible material of a width slightly greater than the widest or longest "-sheet'to lbe, filed, depending on themanner of placing the sheets in the. file, said strip 7 of material being folded transversely first I alternate portions the sheets'to be filed, the

in'one direction and then in the opposite direction at regularintervals alongthe strip, alternate ones of said folded portions being provided with devices 'for securingto said sheets of each subclassbeingsecured to the same one of said portions and all of the sheets thus secured to the'strip preferably pertaining to the same general class-of sub-1 ject matter. a As aresult of this construc;

tion the sheets of each subclass are held in the file by themselves, all of the sheets of the entire class lie upon one and another when the filing device is closed and the sheets of each subclass are separated by the opening of the filing device from the sheets of the othersubc asses when the filing device is its open position; Furthermore, the fastening devices employed are ofisuch a nature as to mai-ntain' the sheetsof each subconsists essentially in pro class in substantially the relation to each 7 if preferred to protect the device audits at'- tached data sheetsfand facilitate storing them in a filing cabinet. -T he deviceis particularly adapted for use in vertical filing systems although it may be employed ef-' fectivelyin any filling system where the subject matter filed is classified. The device may also beemployed apart from any filing system where it is desired to secure a class of data sheets together in a manner to permit ready reference to anysheet of any subclass represented by the sheets secured to thefiling device. I

--My invention will best be understood by reference to the accompanying drawings showing preferred embodiments thereof in which a a Figure 1 is a plan view of a part of the filing device before attaching any data sheets thereto,

Fig. 2 is anedgeview of the device shown in. Fig. 1, I I

'Fig. 3 is a perspective view of several sheetsofone subclass secured to the filing device andvhows the filing device secured to a filing holder," i v Fig.4;is an edge view of the filing device and data sheets secured thereto in closed relation and shows also the filing device secured to a folder toinclose the filed sheets, Fig. 5 is a plan view on areduced scale of the filing devi e having several subclasses of sheets secured thereto, said devicebeing secured to a folder and the sheets of the several su classes being in: the position assumed by them separate from eachother for the open position of the filing device.

F ig. 6 is a diagrammatic view of a folder with the filing device differently attached thereto from the manner of'attaihment indicated in Figs. 3, 4 and 5. f

Fig.7 is a View showing another mode of attachment of the filing. device andfolder,

Fig. 8 shows in a view similar to Fig. 1 a construction of filing devlce in Which three sets of fastening devices are employed for closed position.

Similar numerals refer. to similar parts throughout the several views";

As, shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the filing device consists of a strip of material 10 which may readily be folded at, the fold l-ines ll and 12; so that the strip may readily be moved to its open or flat position and closed to the position indicated in Fig. 4. I find thatcloth answers; admirably for this purpose. The right hand portion of thestrip 10 shown in Figs. 1 and 2 forms a flap 13' which is preferably coated with glue to facilitate securing the filing device to a filing card or folder althoughl do not limit myself to this means of securing the parts together. Following the portion 13, along the strip are the successive, portions 14 and 15,]which may he narrow relatively to their lenoth. the length of these portions being equal tothe width of the strip, 10,. Each of the portions 14 is preferably coated with glue and provided with cuts 16 there through extending longitudinally of the strip 10 to leave tongues 17 connected to. the strip at their right hand ends as shown in Fin. 1 alone: the fold line 12. At their other ends the tongues 17 are separated from the portion 14 by short diagonal cut 18 nearly but not quite freeing the ends. of the tonsrue from the portion 14 as a result of which the tongues may be lifted as desired by means of a pointed instrument such'as the point of a knife blade and theirleft hand ends readily torn from the portion 12. It is to be noticed that the tongues 17 shown in 1 are in two groups, one above the middle line of the strip 10 and the other below the middle line and thereare as many tongues in each group as the num er of data sheets provided for b the filing device in each subclass. Each of the portions 15 is preferably reinforced and stiffened bv securin thereto a narrow strip of flat stiff m teri l such as cardboard or'fiber 19 which materiallv assist in causing the filing device to fold properly alone; the lines 11 and 12 when the device is moved to its closed po ition.

In securing the data sheets 20 to the filing device as shown in Fi 3 the first tongue 17 is separated at its left hand end from the portion 14; and fastened to the first sheet, the second tongue of each group is fastened to the second sheet and so ones a result 'of'which' e'a-ch'sheet is secured at two points separated a considerable distance from each other to the filingv device by the tongues secured to it which tongues constitute hinges at the edge of the sheet adjacent the fold line 12v and permit the sheets to be readily separated from each other and moved to flat position in which position the sheets readily remain for inspection since there is no tendency on the party of the supporting tongues to; move the sheets to their closed position. I

. As shown; in Fig. 3 the flap 13 is secured to the end of a folder 21. of a size slightly larger than the largest sheet to be filed; in the; tiling device as a result of whi h when the filing device is in its closed position, said device and its attached sheets may be entirely contained within the folder which, for filing purposes may be provided with an indexing tab 22 if desired. 1

As shown in Fig. 5 when the filing device with several sheets in several subclasses at;-

tached thereto is in open position the sheets of the several subclasses 23. 24 and 25, are separated at their right hand ends a dis tance equal approximately to. the distance between adjacent onesofthe fold lines 12, thus making the sheets of each subclass readilv available for inspection without handling the sheets of the other subclasses in locating the desired subclass. It will at once appear that additional sheets may be attached in any subclass regardless of the number of sheets in the other subclasses, that is to say the fastening devices of each subclass are as readih available at all times for attaching additional sheets in said subclass to the filing device as thou-ah no 0th subclasses of sheets were present.

When thevfiling device is to be placed in a cabinet or otherwise stored, it is folded alon the fold lines referred to as indicated in Fig. 4. thus making a com act arrangement of the sheets protected for filing pu poses by the ipclosing folder, 7

As a result f the tongues being displ ced from ea h-other in each subclass. it will he observed that the tongues when attached to the corresponding sheets of a subclass do not build up upon eachother but that the total thi kness on the other hand is little, if anymore than the comb ned thiclu css of the sheets of the subclas and t e sin le thi kness of the tonoues. 'Where the sheets filed are re ati ely thick; or for any her reason it is desired to insure that the closed file shall have a minimum thickn ss the Ipodified construction of'fili g devi e l0 shown in Fig. 9 ma be employed which is the same as the fili g device above described with the s n le ex e tion that the tongues 17 are separated from each other filing edge from one plane to another..

As indicated in Fig. 6 the filing device 10; may be secured to the folder 21 at or near the fold line of the folderinsteadof.

toone end of the folder as shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, andagain if preferred the filing' device may be secured to one, of the side edges of thefolder as shown in Fig. 7 My improved filing device thus'lends it-' self readily to a wide variety of uses and. in any event the construction and operation of the filing device is substantially the same. It is to be noted that the end -portion 26 of the filing device constitutes a convenient flap by means of which the device may be, moved from its closed t its open position.

For certain purposes, as for examplefor filing large sheets, it may be desirable to fasten each sheet to the filingdevice; more securely than above described, and in this case, a modified form of filing device 1O shown in Fig. 8 maybe employed, which is of the same construction and operation as the filing device above-described, with the exception that each portion 14* of the wider strip of the filing deviceis'provided'with three groups of tongues 17", onetongue of each group to "be secured to ea h sheetfiled. While I have shown thefiling strips 10,

10 and 1O adapted for folding to reduce the file and its contentsto small bulk, 'it will be understood that the same construction may be employed" without folding said strips where it is desirable to do so for special uses. r c While I have shown-my invention in the particular embodiments above described it is to be understood that I'do not limit myselfto these exa t constructions. as I may employ anv equivalents thereof known to the' art at the timeiof the filing of this application 'withont departing from the V sconenotithe appended claims: for example,

' in any manner and relation that will-best- I find in some cases it is not necessary; to emplov the reinforcing strips19 and again the ton ues referred 'to may be entirely severed at one end trom the 'ad acent portion of thefiling. device. Simil rly. any desir d'r eans mav ernnlo ed for securing the filing device 'to a backing or folder se th needs of any particular case.

What I- claim is: 1. In a filing devi e, the combination of a stri of flexible material having fold l nes ex ending transverselvacross it' dividing" said strip into a plurality of rectangular portions. alterna e ones of said ortions beinn, rovided w th r-nts throu h them extending lono itndinallv of said strip and forming, tongues; connected o s d strip along alternate ones of said fold lines,

whereby said tongues of each of said alternate portions may be securedto sheets in one subclass ofthe matter to be filed in-said device, and reinforcing stripssecured to the intermediate ones of said portions.

2. In a filing device,the combination of a strip offlexible material having fold lines extending transversely across it dividing said strip into a plurality of rectangular portions, alternate ones of said portions being provided with cuts through them extending longitudinally of said strip and forming tongues connected to said strip along alternate ones of said fold lines,

whereby said tongues of each of said alternate portions may be secured to sheets in one subclass ,of the matter to be filed in said device, and reinforcing strips secured to the intermediate ones of said portions, I

said tongues being coated with gluetoiacilitate securingthem to said sheets. I E,

3. In arfiling device the combination of a strip of flexible material having fold'lines extending.transversely across it dividing said strip into a plurality of rectangular portions, alternate ones of said portions b e ing-provided withcuts through them ex tending longitudinally of said: strip and forming tongues connected to said strip.

along alterna:te'ones of said; fold lines,

whereby said tongues of each of said alternate' portions may be secured to sheets in one subclassof the matter to be filed in said device. reinforcing strips se ured tothe interinediate ones of said portions, and a backing membersecured tothe end of said strip.

. L-A filing device comprising a strip of flexible material having fold lines extending may be secured to sheets in onesubclassof the matter to be filed in said device.

5. A filing devicecomprising a strip of 1 fi exible m ateri al having fol d. lines extending transversely across it dividing said strip into a pluralitv of rectangularwportions. alternate ones of'said portions beingprovided with cuts through them extending longitu- 'dinally'of said strip andiorrning tongues connected to said strip along alternate ones of said fold lines, wherebv said tongues. of 7 each of said alternateportions mavbe. se-

cured to sheets ino e subclass of the mat ter to be filed i said device. said tongues inn them to said sheets. .7 I 6. In a fil g device. the COmblTW-tfinfif a being coated with glue to facilitatesecur I strip of flexible materialhavingfo d'l es extending transversely across it dividing extending transversely across it dividing said strip into plurality of rectangular portlons, alternate ones of said port ons be pro id d ith u ough them ex- .tending longitudinally of said strip and form ng tongues connected to said strip a one heme on s o said fold i s, Whereby'said tongues of each of said alterna por ons may e s ou od o oo ne ub la s o t o mat e o h fi d in s do io y a re nfo i g ip s cur d to he int rme ia on of a po ion a on e of each e na e portion ng arah odin a plu al y of groups t facil a e h e oi tons o of ao g oup n securins pape in h fi ing yioea 8. In a i g d io it ombinati n fa tri of flexi le m e ia h g f l nes nd n trans e e y ao o it d n said strip into a plurality of rectangular portions, alternate ones of said portions being provided with cuts through them extending longitudinally of said strip and forming tongues connected to said strip along alternate ones of said fold lines, whereby said tongues of each of said alternate portions may be secured to sheets in one subclass of the matter to be filed in said device, and reinforcing strips secured to the intermediate ones of said portions. said tongues being coated with glue to facilitate securing them to said sheets, said tongues of each alternate portion being arranged in a plurality of groups to facilitate the use of a tongue'of each group in securing a paper inthe filing device. k

9. A filing device comprising a strip of flexible material having fold lines extendinn transversely across it dividing said strip, into a pluralitv of rectangular portions al-t ternateones of said portions be ng provided ith cuts through them'extending longitu dinallv of said strip and forming tongues connected to said strip along a ternate ones of said fold ,lines. Wherebv said tong es of each of sa d alternate portions n av be se-r cured to sheets in o e subclass of the mat-j ter to be filed in said devi e, saidtong es of 7 ea h ernate portion bei g: arranged in a pluralitv of o o ps to faci ita e the use of a tongue of oanh r p p securin g Paper h tiling lones r tea e2 onesof said portions being provided with cuts through. them extending longitudinally o d s p an r ing to i oo oo nec ed to said strip along alternate ones of said fold l o where y a d tong e o each. of a d alternate Po on may be soo red t h ots i e s bcla of th mat er who fi ed said device, said tongues being coated with glue to facilitate securing them to said sheets, said tongues of each alternate portion being arranged in a pluralityof groups to facilitate the useof a'tongue of each group in securing a paper in the filing'device 11? afiling o ioe'the omhin ti n f a strip of flexible material having fold lines ext nd g t ans er ly a o it d v said stripinto plurality of rectangular port: t jons, alteifh to o o said po tions be n p ded W h o s h ugh t em e tohd hs l g tudin l y o s d tr p and o n tongues on ec d to sa d r p ng a te -i ha e ones of a d o i os, wh eby sa d t gu s o each, o sa a ternat p rt ns may e secu ed o shoot n one s b lass o the matter to be filed in said device, reinfo in s ips se e o e interm d a e e f sa d Po o s, an fo de av n ts se nort on oo ro to one nd, o a d St p t hol s s i tr p a tho 'i apor ou sl th reto n s d cond t on a 12- In a filihs ev c ho o hhi o of a str p of flex e ma ialhey s ld l s extending. transversely across it dividing said strip into a plurality .of rectangular Por io s a om o o es i d i n h ing provided with cuts through thorn extend ing longitudinally of said strip and form ng: tong oo od t sa tr p alone" a te a ones f sa o l nes ho y sa d tongues of each of said alternate portions may h e r d t t in on s ola's of the niatter to be filed insaid'device, and a folder having its edge portion secured toone end of said strip to inclosesaid strip and the papers secured thereto in closed condition. In a filing device, the comb nation of a strip of fieXible material having fold lines extending transversely across it dividing said strip into a pluralitv of siinlarportions. alternate ones of said portions being provided with devices for separately securing sheets to said device, and reinforcing stripssecured to the intermediate ones of said portions."

14. In a filing device, the combination of a strip of flexible material having fold lines extending transverselv across it divid ng said strip into a pluralitv of similar portionsf'alternate ones of said portions'being provided With-devices for separatelv scour tug sheets to sa d device, reinforcing strips secured to the intermediate ones of said por- 15. In a filing device, the combination "of a strip of flexible material having fold lines extending transversely across it dividing said strip into a plurality of similar portions, alternate ones of said portions being provided with devices for separately securing sheets to said device, reinforcing strips secured to the intermediate ones of said portions, and a backing member secured to said strip of flexible material.

16. A filing device comprising a strip of flexible material having a plurality of rectangular portions, alternate ones of said portions having cuts through them extending longitudinally of said strip to form tongues in each said alternate portion for securing sheets thereto in one subclassof the matter to be filed in said device.

17. A filing device comprisinga strip of flexible material having a plurality of rectangular portions, alternate ones of said portions having cuts through them extending longitudinally of said strip to form tongues in each said alternate portion forsecuring sheets thereto 1n one subclass of the matter.

to be filed in said device and reinforcing V of said strip.

18. A filing device comprising a strip of flexible material having a plurality of rectangular portions, alternate ones of said portions being provided with devices for separately securing sheets to be filed in separate groups, and reinforcingmeans. secured to the intermediate portions of said strips.

alternate portion being arranged in a plurality of groups tofacilitate the use of a tongue of each group in securing a paper in the filingdevice.

In Witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe means secured to the intermediate portions my name this 26th day of November, A. D. 1

CHARLES .B. ULRICH.

v 40 19. A filing device comprising a strip of 

